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Award description

The NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award (NOESA) is a prestigious recognition granted by the local council National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) committee to Eagle Scouts who have demonstrated outstanding achievement at the local, state, or regional level. Unlike the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award —which is a national award— the NOESA recognizes Eagle Scouts whose efforts have made a positive impact closer to home.

Eligibility

All NOESA recipients must be Eagle Scouts in good standing with the Boy Scouts of America and either be registered with or have their primary residence within the boundaries of the nominating council. No length of time is required to have passed since earning the rank. Examples of possible recipients include:

Local heroes and celebrities at the peak of their notoriety whose achievements outside of Scouting have touched and inspired others;

Philanthropists, public servants, educators, or business owners who have made a positive, long-term impact as cornerstones of the community;

Individuals who have attained prominence at the state or regional level in their profession or avocation—an avocation being any activity including but not limited to athletics, hobbies, collecting, outdoor adventure, and record-setting activities.

Each recipient’s actions and accomplishments should elevate the stature of Eagle Scouts in the public eye, and each recipient shall be held to the standards set forth in the Scout Oath, Scout Law, and national BSA standards for membership.

Guidelines for approving a nomination

Each council NESA committee may present one NOESA per year, with the option of awarding an additional NOESA for every 100 Eagle Scout awards in excess of 200 awards in the previous year. For example, a council that awards one to 199 Eagle Scouts in one calendar year may present one NOESA in the following calendar year. A council with 200 to 299 Eagle Scouts in a year may present two NOESAs in the following year, and continue to grant an additional NOESA for every 100 Eagle Scouts awarded beyond that amount. NOESAs may not be banked.

Note: DESA recipients may not receive a NOESA, although a NOESA recipient may be nominated for the DESA once he has achieved prominence at the national level and meets the 25-year time requirement since earning Eagle.

Reporting recipients

Upon completion of the nomination, and approval by the local NESA committee, which is the only entity authorized to approve a NOESA, the council NESA committee will submit this completed application to the National Eagle Scout Association, located in the national office of the Boy Scouts of America.

The recipient’s name will be added to the NOESA rolls and remain there in perpetuity. In addition, each recipient will be nationally recognized on the NESA website, or other NESA publications.

Councils may order a blank NOESA certificate and special knot device from Supply, which will then be presented by the council at an appropriate event.